Labor is deeply concerned by continuing reports of the mass detention of Chinas minority Uighur population and other violations of human rights, including those outlined by members of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva earlier this month.
Labor is particularly concerned about reports of Australian residents feeling intimidated and unable to contact their family members.
Labor welcomes the Foreign Ministers confirmation the Australian Government has raised concerns with Beijing about the situation in China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
It is important that the Uighur community in Australia do not feel pressured or intimidated by events in China and we welcome the Ministers assurance Australian officials have raised the issue of Uighur Australians with their counterparts in Beijing.
As well as continuing to press our concerns through bilateral mechanisms, Labor calls on the Government to use Australias membership on the UN Human Rights Council, in coordination with other members, to continue to pursue this issue with the Chinese Government.
Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.